Coastal Estate - Kitchen Dining Nook Table Top

a table top setting for a coastal brunch

In addition to furnishing the kitchen nook in the previous post, I was also tasked with outfitting the kitchen and dining area with all the essentials including; small appliances, cookware, serve ware, dishes, cutlery, glassware, trays,,, absolutely everything you would need to turn-key, and be ready prepare meals for a house full of guests. The goal was to source and deliver all of the items in short order to get the new kitchen functional quickly and to purchase as much as possible from local resources, which are predominantly hardware stores and grocery stores. Given that the home would be used only a few months of the year, our aim was to find practical pieces with great style that would be versatile for all-purpose use. To say I enjoy this type of sourcing is an understatement - seeking out stylish design finds in unexpected places is an occupational obsession.

Early on in my sourcing I came across a charming set of Johnson and Johnson’s “Devon’s Cottage” dishware at Home Sense and immediately snapped it up. Not only was I drawn to the classic palette but I particularly loved that this collection is comprised of a mix-match pattern and it included proper tea cups and saucers (on my client’s must have list!). Undoubtedly this find was the catalyst to the entire table ware scheme and is what elevates everything else and keeps the entire scheme from looking generic. Johnson and Johnson have been been making dishware for over a hundred years and so being able to use one of their patterns for the main dishes instantly adds an element of collected tradition to the all new kitchen which you just couldn’t get from a basic set of plates from Ikea or your local housewares department.

Over a few visits to different locales I managed to amass an entire service for 8 which I then supplemented with a full set of Ikea’s white scalloped edged plate collection, these could be mixed and layered easily with the Devon’s Cottage pieces when needed to create a blended setting for 10 or 12.  I also ordered a dozen of Ikea’s seagrass placemats which are a steal of a find and they just ooze relaxed coastal style. Adjacent to the table is a corner cabinet with glass doors that becomes a beautiful showcase for the blue and white pieces that aren’t in use, so its an added bonus that they patterned pieces also provide a beautiful display.

Continuing the mix and match aesthetic I added various random serve ware pieces and glassware from the Super Store and Winners like the rustic ironstone bowl, and blue and white pitcher and crystal high ball glasses.

The plates on the wall are a collection of vintage and antique blue and white plates that we collected from local antique shops and fairs around the South Shore.

The flatware was something we considered with regards to the weight of the knives and a really good soup spoon was a must! The set we selected is by Henckel from a nearby Canadian Tire, they feature a hammered finish and the design reminded the homeowner of the cutlery designed by Marcel Wanders used on KLM Dutch Airlines.

There are few things I enjoy more than setting a table so I jumped at the opportunity to set the table for a late summer Sunday brunch and I was able to see first hand how effortlessly all the pieces worked together to create a beautiful and appetizing presentation. In lieu of flowers, I opted for one of my favourite table top accents - potted herbs. In this rural vacation home they add an element of life and homeyness that can be lacking in seasonal residences. They can be used in cooking or planted in the ground for next year, although I’ll confess one of them is faux, but mixed in with real ones its hard to tell which one it is.

The all cotton napkins were another steal of a find, I scored several sets of them on the clearance rack at Chapter’s Indigo in Halifax, I think the frayed edges and hankerchief patten are simple and charming details. I scooped up every set they had to use here but have to admit they were hard to part with.

And brunch is served!! Hope you enjoyed this closeup of the table top as much as I enjoyed pulling it all together, and even more, that you’re inspired to keep your eyes out for versatile and stylish pieces no matter where you shop, and to experiment with mixing and matching, for an interesting and collected look.

Coastal Estate - Kitchen Dining Nook

A Kitchen Dining Nook - Not Just For Breakfast

Over the course of two recent summers I had the enormous job of furnishing and outfitting an entire residence from top to bottom for its new European owners who purchased the traditional shingle style house as their seasonal holiday home. Located in a remote coastal setting on the South Shore of Nova Scotia the 7 bedroom main house and guest quarters are situated overlooking the water surrounded by many acres of woodland. The project didn’t involve any renovation or remodelling design work on my part, not even paint colours (!) my task of furnishing and outfitting the home mandated working with the existing spaces as is, and completing it all as quickly as possible so it could be used without prolonged delay. This post takes a peak at the finished Kitchen Dining Nook.

Coastal Estate Dining Nook, Room Design and Photo by: Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.

The dining nook in the expansive eat-in kitchen is situated in front of a bay of windows and glass doors with elevated views over the sloping property to the coastal water ways. To the right of this dining area is a classic white kitchen with black counters configured around a centre island and with a peninsula that separates the kitchen from dining area. The kitchen area features terracotta tile flooring, an alcove with a wood stove and an adjoining laundry and pantry with separate entrance from a rear parking area.

Although my scope of work didn’t include designing the kitchen or any of the interior build, I did recommend painting out the very glossy and very orange knotty pine ceiling which instantly made the space significantly brighter and lighter looking.

Coastal Estate - Kitchen Ceiling Detail, Room Design and photo by: Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.

Once the ceiling was painted out we added a classic ring chandelier in an oil rubbed bronze and simple shaded arm sconces on the existing wall junction boxes. The chandelier lends a bit of nautical vibe without getting themey and the dark metal is a nod to the rugged rural surroundings.

The main criteria for the dining space was for it to serve as an informal dining room (is there any other kind of dining in a vacation home!) to sit at least 10 people for occasional large family visits but also be cozy enough for two on a daily basis. I immediately set out in search of an extra large round pedestal table table which would fill the space proportionately, create wonderful flow going in out to the deck, and transition from 2 to 10 comfortably. Several inspiration spaces that we referenced had wicker or rattan chairs which really evoked a relaxed cottage setting so I set out to find a lounge’y style version that were sized for dining height.

The large diameter table top and roomy arm chairs allow the homeowners to sit lounge style, side by side for any meal of the day while enjoying the scenic views (and to spread out their various international newspaper print subscriptions). For large family meals the circular arrangement of arm chairs is ideal to gather around and linger for hours if you like, with plenty of space to add in 4 or 5 side chairs when needed. I had custom back pillows made for the chairs in a cheery blue and white ekat style print which I also used for a roman shade over the kitchen sink window.

Although there was an entire wall of windows/doors, the nook area had a rather large wall area to deal with. This would normally be a perfect spot for a hutch or sideboard but because there was a long peninsula behind the table and the kitchen has ample storage there was no need for more storage. Not to mention the house also has large separate dining and living rooms with a sideboard, bookcases with loads of storage space. With a small budget for wall art I decide to pick-up on a blue and white theme and create a collage of plates to occupy the wall space - a super inexpensive but impactful decor element. What inspired this was a few small blue & white plates that the homeowner had picked up on their touring around the South Shore. So over the course of the project I began picking up vintage blue & whites whenever I could. The collage is installed in a way that easily allows for more plates to be added at any time and i think that’s such a fun and interesting way to grow a collection over time and display your found treasures for everyone to see.

Coastal Estate - Vintage Blue & White Plate Collage, Room Design & Photo by: Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.

In addition to furnishing the space I was also tasked with outfitting the kitchen and dining area with all the essentials including; small appliances, cookware, serve ware, dishes, cutlery, glassware, trays,,, absolutely everything you would need to turn-key, and be ready prepare meals for a house full of guests. Early on in my sourcing I came across a charming set of Johnson and Johnson’s “Devon’s Cottage” dishware at Home Sense and immediately snapped it up. Not only was I drawn to the classic palette but I particularly loved that this collection is comprised of a mix-match pattern and it had proper tea cups and saucers (on my client’s must have list!).

Coastal Estate Table Top, Room Design and Photo By: Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.

I’m thrilled to say I wasn’t the only one who was crazy about this dish pattern, the homeowner’s who are of dutch heritage and have a primary residence in Amsterdam, were delightfully surprised with my find as they explained to me one of their daughters has this same set which they had always admired. Its a small world as they say!

In the next post I’ll share all the details on the table top pieces I selected and how I set the table for a family brunch!

Comforts of Home: With A Good Book and on-line Shopping

One of the most relaxing and comforting places in the world to me is at home in my own bed.  I find it a pure luxury to spend a chilly Saturday or Sunday lounging the morning away in bed with a good coffee, my laptop or a great design book with a purring cat curled up at my feet.   Our home is in a rural coastal area on acreage and we can walk our own property and the beach behind us any day of the year without ever seeing another person, so isolation is naturally part of our everyday life and part of the beauty of living in a rural setting.  I’m also an introvert by nature so staying away from large crowds or social gatherings is not a challenge for me since I normally avoid those situations regularly. So while self-isolation is not something that would be a hardship for us personally, at this time I sympathize with all those who are confined to small spaces, separated from family, cut off from support services or have no choice but to interact with the public in carrying on with work.  Without a doubt the current events and fears of contagious disease will surely make us all cherish how much our homes and relationships nurture and support us. 

Room Design and photo by: Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.

This weekend at home I’m continuing to devour Tom Scheerer’s newest book, More Decorating, which features several of his own homes.  From cover to cover its full of timelessly beautiful spaces that have such a relaxed ease to them but are so masterfully done that they exude a sophisticated, confident taste and effortless style all at the same time.  I’m inherently drawn to his aesthetic which is never pretentious looking perhaps because he’s never afraid to mix high and low or incorporate utilitarian items, found objects or kitchy keepsakes with artful prominence.  I’m sure i wouldn’t be the only one who could happily isolate for days or weeks on end in any one of these spaces - and that’s what home should feel like.

Photo of a page in Tom Scheerer’s Book, More Decorating. Room Design by: Tom Sheerer.

All of this time spent lounging in bed this morning reminds me that I still need to decide on a couple of light fixtures for our bedroom which have been on my to-do list for about 7 years. The room as it is, is so inviting and serene to me (especially when the windows are open to the ocean breezes and sound of the surf) that the bare bulb and cover plates haven’t bothered me enough to make it a priority. It truly is like the 'cobbler’s kid’s around here,,,there are more bare bulbs than I can to confess (!) I rarely have time to spend on my own home projects. So looking up, I”m setting my sights on finishing this and some other things on my home organizing and decor to-do list - next up, some on-line shopping!

Room Design and photo by: Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.

Its a great time for everyone to appreciate and enjoy the comforts of home (or tackle some small project around the house that will feel so good to get done) and if you can, get out and explore some wide open spaces, fresh air, and the ever inspiring beauty of nature. We’re heading out for a long beach walk and to soak up some of this glorious sunshine!